Another New Threat to Birth Control

By now, you're probably already heard about the ongoing battle over birth control. If not, a quick recap: The Obama administration ruled back in August that insurance companies would be required to cover birth control costs with no co-pay to users. Some Catholic organizations have pushed back. As a result, the government has given them more time to comply with the new rules, but they still haven't come to an agreement with Catholic bishops.

Now, women's health is coming under fire again: A federal judge in Washington state just ruled that pharmacists who disagree with emergency contraception for religious reasons will no longer be required to dispense it. That means women in Washington could have trouble accessing Plan B when they need it most.

If you don't live in Washington, you may think this doesn't affect you. But it could if your state chooses to follow suit—which is entirely possible. Last year, a judge in Illinois handed down a similar ruling, which means this is a growing trend.

Want to keep tabs on your state? Click here to check out the Guttmacher Institute's state center—it breaks down women's health issues by state.